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FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- In the midst of the controversy involving baseball star Alex Rodriguez and performance-enhancing drugs, Fairfield police arrested two suspected leaders of a steroid manufacturing and distribution ring operating in Fairfield County, police said Friday.

The investigation began in April when an informant went to Fairfield police and said steroids were being made and sold in the area, including within Fairfield, said Chief Gary MacNamara. "These are hard investigations. ... It's hard to investigate because it's hard to get the information initially."

But as the investigation continued, officers determined that a large-scale, high quality anabolic steroid and human growth hormone manufacturing and distribution network was operating in the area in conjunction with the sale of narcotic pain medications, police said.

Fairfield police executed three search-and-seizure warrants Wednesday along with officers from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and in conjunction with police form Derby and Trumbull.

Two men, Chris Puzzio of Trumbull and Jerry Mazzuoccolo of Derby, were arrested on multiple charges in their homes, police said.

Large amounts of steroids, human growth hormone, drug paraphernalia, capsule presses, cash and firearms were found in both of their homes, police said.

Also, police sent several hundred capsules containing an unknown substance for chemical analysis at the Connecticut State Police lab.

Police did not have an estimate on the the street value of the drugs seized, but said they included several different types and qualities of substances.

Officers believe third-party sellers were also involved, although it was unknown where the drugs were sold and who they were being sold to, police said.

Police also said it was unclear whether the drugs and steroids were sold to high school students. The investigation into the case is continuing, MacNamara said.

"By no means is this investigation closed," said Sgt. Tony Granata , a detective with the Fairfield police.

The two men were not selling drugs at their workplaces, police said, and their employers were not involved in the case.

Puzzio works as a market risk analyst at UBS Global Asset Management. Mazzuoccolo works as a trainer at the Edge Fitness in Trumbull.

Each man was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and operating a drug factory. Puzzio was held on $10,000 bond. No bond information was released on Mazzuoccolo.

Both are due in court on Aug. 19 -- Puzzio in Bridgeport Superior Court and Mazzuoccolo in Derby Superior Court.